Peritoneal relations (English)

Sagittal section of the abdomen. Intraperitoneal organs are completely wrapped by visceral peritoneum. These organs are the liver, spleen, stomach, superior part of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, transverse colon, sigmoid colon and superior part of the rectum. Retroperitoneal organs are found posterior to the peritoneum in the retroperitoneal space with only their anterior wall covered by the parietal peritoneum. If they develop and remain outside the peritoneum, they are primarily retroperitoneal organs: kidney, adrenal glands and ureter. Other retroperitoneal organs develop inside the peritoneum, but then move posterior to it and fuse with the abdominal wall: pancreas, distal duodenum, ascending and descending colons. The great blood vessels (i.e. abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava) are also retroperitoneal.